Design, Health and Climate Protection: Facade-integrated Decentralized Ventilation from Tonality
Facade ceramics meets ventilation technology: Tonality now offers the ventilated ceramic facade combined with a decentralized ventilation system. The special feature: The ceramic elements used on the facade are suspended as louvers in a weather protection box, ensuring that the ventilation system is practically invisibly integrated into the facade. With an air capacity of up to 800 cubic meters per hour and heat recovery of up to 95 percent, the system not only noticeably improves air quality but also reduces heating costs.
Studies show that good indoor air quality in educational institutions directly correlates with students’ ability to concentrate and their general well-being. Poor air quality often leads to fatigue, headaches, and discomfort. The integration of ventilation systems helps minimize these problems. By continuously replacing used indoor air with fresh outdoor air, performance and well-being increase. It is therefore obvious that ventilation solutions are more than just a nice-to-have or merely a means to qualify a building project for funding.
Challenge: Uniform appearance
However, especially when retrofitting ventilation systems in existing buildings, there is often the problem that weather protection hoods and other technical elements detract from the appearance of the façade. This is particularly true for public buildings, where maintaining a uniform and attractive appearance is of great importance. “The aesthetics of the building envelope often suffer from the retrofitted ventilation components or alternatives are used in favor of a uniform appearance, which are disproportionately expensive,” explains Philip Köthe, responsible for product marketing and sales of ventilation technology at Leipfinger-Bader. “And this is precisely where our new system comes in.”
Façade-integrated decentralized ventilation
Specifically, Tonality, as part of the system provider Leipfinger-Bader, now offers façade-integrated decentralized ventilation. This combines the familiar rear-ventilated ceramic façade with a weather protection box with air inlets and outlets. The boxes are designed in such a way that they use the same ceramic elements as the façade. Similar to conventional ventilation louvres, these are hung at an outward angle. The result: the weather protection box and the ventilation ducts behind it are barely visible thanks to the continuous surface and integrate seamlessly into the façade.
Energy-saving technology for health
The technology itself is also impressive: various sensors monitor the room air with regard to CO2 content and VOC concentration. The summer bypass can be used to cool the rooms. The system is also extremely quiet, with a sound level of around 30 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound of a whisper or rustling leaves in the wind. The ventilation system also has an air flow rate of up to 800 cubic meters per hour and a heat recovery rate of up to 95 percent. On the one hand, this ensures that the necessary air exchange is maintained and the associated improvement in air quality. On the other hand, in times of rising energy prices, it also contributes to a reduction in heating requirements and thus to cost savings. Further plus points: simple maintenance and the small space requirement of the devices, which, for example, takes on completely different dimensions with a central ventilation system. The system meets comprehensive fire and noise protection requirements and complies with the applicable standards and regulations such as VDI 6022. Integration into building management systems is also possible.
Economical Solution
The system benefits from the advantages of Tonality ceramics, such as free color design, individual designs, and maintenance-free properties. For example, graffiti can be easily removed with conventional cleaning agents. Weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, snow, or UV radiation damage neither the surface structure nor the color intensity of the ceramic elements, making them a particularly durable, economical solution. And this in many respects: “The system costs remain reasonable. Especially when considering the long-term savings in operating costs, such a device can pay for itself after just two years. In addition, we can offer the renovation of the facade and the integration of the ventilation system as a complete solution. This significantly simplifies planning and implementation,” explains Philip Köthe.
Sustainability and Climate Protection
The sustainability of this solution is another crucial factor. By improving energy efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions, the system contributes to achieving climate goals and supports public authorities in implementing their sustainability strategies. The natural material of the facade elements – high-quality clay from the Westerwald region – completes the concept.
Overall, Tonality’s façade-integrated ventilation offers a way of overcoming the challenges of refurbishing public buildings without compromising on appearance or functionality. The combination of design, efficiency and sustainability makes a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in educational facilities and achieving climate targets.
